Photoelectric inspection device



Feb. 4, 1947.

[LICTRLWIC CDNTPOZ MEANS s. c. HURLEY, JR

PHOTOELECTRIC INSPECTIONv DEVICE Filed Sept. 23. 1944 4 Sheets-Shet 1 wrmmmna LIGHT CONT/POL MfANS MEANS CMTAUL \JCQHuIuEY Jn. Mimi,

' INVENTOR.

1947. s. c. HURLEY, JR 2,415,179

PHOTOELECTRIC INSPECTION DEVICE Filed Sept. 23, 1944 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 SUPPORT 7 a 7/ I61 v f TENSION 14 7 SIZING 2 RIDER EN'TOR. 30 v I mm/$ J.

FIG- 6 v Febo 4, 1947. s. c. Hu LEY, JR 2,415,179

PHOTOELECTRIC INSPECTION DEVICE Filed Sept. 23, 1944 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 9 L 4 I i 9 REJECT INVENTOR,

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Feb. 4, 1947.

s. c. HURLEY, JR

PHOTOELECTRIC INSPECTION DEVICE Filed Sept. 23, 1944 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 I07 h FIG. /0 B l3 5 I09 I H4- 8; 29Powm I30 8 ll 1 122 mam. 24 I? 12a I2 25 I29 P WEI? 12/ g 9 I 8+ 8* I 54 F I I I34 ER L B+. -[Ij-g-MB- POWER Fla/2 H mmvrsmvc POWER Us" MEANS SENSITIVE .5 .Z. counm MEANS Eucrnamc J. caumaL I39 MEANS sl 'l'v vs v I. INVHVTOR.

no 3a S.C HURLEY JR.

Patented Feb. 4, 1947 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 8Claims. 1

This application is a continuation in part of.

my abandoned application, Serial Number 480,025, filed March 22, 1943, which in turn, is a continuation in part of my abandoned application Serial- Number 473,187, flied January 22, 1943.

Broadly, my invention relates to an apparatus for the inspection of articles and objects by electronic gauging. It particularly relates to a novel electronic circuit foruse in making precision dimensional measurements wherein at least two control grids in the electronic circuit are independently controlled with at least one of the control grids controlled by an electronic means which includes a means for the proper positioning of the article in the inspection zone.

An object of my invention is to provide an improved sizing device in which a specimen is tested for size by positioning the same in a beam of light.

My simple circuit provides many advantages over those previously used. In the first place, a

single relay is all that is necessary-to either cause acceptance of the article or cause rejection of the article. In high speed, accurate precision measurements of the kind I employ in my inspection operations, it is undesirable to use any more relay coils and switches than are absolutely necessary since each relay has a certain time lag which slows down the inspection and since such relays must be kept in perfect condition in order to insure accurate measurements, it is readily seen that the fewer relays. used, the more accurate and precise measurements of this kind become.

Furthermore, my novel means for determining the proper positioning of the article in the inspection zone in order to establish a proper reference point has many advantages. Mechanical with-a good piece. Precision measurements of the kind which may be made by my invention are usualy only made on articles where it is necessary to make sure that all of the articles accepted are good, and it is not enough merely to sort the articles into good or bad and end up with only 95% of the accepted articles being good.

- The inspection device must function perfectly.

Thisis readily seen since my device is useful in -like for use in automobiles, airplanes, machines of war, bullets, projectiles, etc., where any failure oi the testing mechanism might cause a bad piece to be used in one of the abovemachines which could readily result in not only the loss of property, but in loss of life, particularl when those articles are used in the machines which are inherently dangerous such as an automobile or an airplane. Also, it is obvious that articles for use in war must be perfect and a testing machine for size must accept only good pieces.

I insure the proper reference point by preventing the actuation of the selecting or indicating means if the-piece is not properly .positioned in the inspection zone. I accomplish this by providing a means for orienting the piece in a the inspection zone or, in other words fixing the in order to prevent a bad piece from being mixed reference point, by completingan electronic circult when the piece is properly positioned, which controls a control grid in a power tube, said grid causing actuation of the indicating means only when the piece is in proper position. It is apparent that mechanical switches would not be suitable or desirable. for thispurpose.

While my invention has many uses, it is particularly advantageous for use in connection with making precision dimensional measurements, by which I mean, (1 measuring an article for given size, (2) determining the size of the article, (3)

determining the shape of the article such as determining a bevel or an angle; (4) determining the position of various machined, tooled or cast parts of an article such as a slot, a notch, a groove, a ridge, etc.

My invention relates particularly to an elec" tronic circuit comprising control grids, controlled either directly or indirectly by independent means, at least one of said means being an electronic means responsive to the proper positioning of the article in the testing zone and at least one of said means being a light sensitive means. The circuit conducts a current only when the control grids are simultaneously driven in a positive dimotion in respect to the potential of "their respective cathodes and the current flowing through the electronic circuit is reduced or stopped by driving the potential of either of the control grids .in a negative direction. In other words. the bias on the control electrodes must be positive or at least of a low negative value in respect to their cathodes at any given instant so as to cause current .to flow through the electronic circuit but the bias of each tube may be independently and connection with testing machined parts and the separately changed to stop the flow of through the electronic circuit.

. Throughout the specification, when I refer to current positive bias or a positive'potential on the coninterpreting means not trol grid with respect to the cathode, I mean a bias at least of the proper potential to initiate conductance of a tube or, render it conducts Other objects, advantages, uses and applica tions of my .apparatus will become apparent by referring to the drawings in which a actuated until the bias on the control grids l and I is driven suinciently negative to prevent a flow of current through a part of the electronic circuit. In another modification. either control grid I or I may nor-,

-mally be maintained positive and the other negative and the interpreti'ng'means not actuated until the latter grid is driven sufll'ciently in a or the passing of a bad piece through the inspec- Figure 1 shows diagrammatically the broad principle of my invention wherein the flow 01' current from the electronic circuit is controlled by both an electronic means and a light sensitive means.

Figure 2 shows a detailed wiring diagram suitable -for use in my invention wherein the power tube is controlled by the flow of current through two amplifying tubes, one of said amplifying tubes controlled electronically and the other amplifying tube controlled photoelectrically.

Figures 3,4, 5,,6 and '7 show diflerent means for positioning the article in the inspection zone and for controlling the electronic control for use in sorting or selecting articles according .to size.

Figure 11 illustrates an electronic circuit whereinthe control grid controlled by the .elec- 1 tronic control means and the control grid controlled b'ythe' light sensitive control means are placed'in the same poweror amplifying tube.

Figure 12 illustrates diagrammatically the use of three power tubes, two of which are controlled by a light sensitivecontrol means and one by an p electronic control means.

Referring to Figure 1,- the reference numeral I indicates the electronic control means; reference numeral 2 indicates the light sensitive control means; reference numeral 3 indicates the electronic circuit responsive, to control means I and 2; and reference numeral 4 indicates the interpreting means responsive to electronic circuit 3.

The control grid 6 in the electronic circuit 3 is controlled by the electronic control means as hereinafter described. The control grid 1 in the electronic circuit is controlled by the light sensitive control means 2. The interpreting means 4 is actuated when the control grids 6 and I are tion zone. Other combinations are possible but I believe the above illustrations indicate the various means of independently controlling the'con- 'trol grids in'an electronic circuit by an electronic means and by a light sensitive means. Throughout the description of the drawings, the same numbers are used for comparable parts.

Referring to Figure 2, the electronic means comprises 'means 8 for properly positioning the I article to be inspected in the inspection zone, A

source of D. C. potential is rovided having its positive terminal at 9 and its negative terminal at l0. Means 8 is connected to terminal 8 through a resistor H and is groundedat l2. An insulating material I3 is provided between electrical conductors l4 forming the V block 60 which is particularly useful for orienting round objects in the inspection zone. It should be noted that unless the object is properly placed in the v block 60, no current flows from the positive terminal 9 to the ground I2 and .the potential at the point I5 is substantially that of the positive terminal 9 of the source of D. C. potential. when 7 The apparatus illustrated in Figure 2 is described simultaneously driven in the same direction of v potential so as to permit a flow of current in the electronic circuit or at least a flow of current through the power tube or tubes actuating an energy translation means. This circuit may op- .erate in a number of ways within the scope of my invention. For example, the bias on thegrids 6 and 1 may normally be maintained negative and the interpreting means not actuated unless both grids are simultaneously driven in a positive direction sufliciently to cause current to flow through the electronic circuit. Or the control tronic circuit. but the power tube actuat ng the potential.

in connection with precision inspections for determining the size of an article. I therefore employ a pair of phototubes l8 and I! in a bridge article meets the requirement for size and the bridge is unbalanced in a direction of negative Phototubes i8, and I9, together with resistors 20 and 2| form the four arms of an electrical bridge, connected to a. source of D; C. potential with its positive terminal at 22 and its negative terminal at 23 and grounded at 24. The mid-point of the bridge is at 25 and it is apparent that when the bridge is balanced, no current is flowing across the bridge. When tube I8 is in shadow and tube I9 is in light, current flows across the bridge placing a negative potential at the point 25.

An amplifying tube- 26, preferably, although not necessarily, of the pentode type, has its operating current and voltages provided by dividing resistors, 28, 28 and 30 connected across a source of D. C. potential having its positive terminal 'at 3|, its negative terminal at 32 and tactor 34 on resistor 30. The control grid 25 of the tube 26 is connected to the ground 33 through the resistor 36' and to the electronic control means I at point I5 and the bias on the control grid 35 is such as to normally cause tube 28 to conduct. When the article to be inspected is apparent that when no current flows through the plate circuit of the tube 26, the potential at point 39 is substantially the same as at point 38.

In like manner, an amplifying tube4li of the p'entode type is connected to the source of direct current having its positive terminal at 3| and its operating current and voltages are provided by the dividing resistors 4|, 42, 43 and 44 with a round at 45.v The bias on the tube 40 is adjustable by adjusting the 'slidable contactor 46' on the resistor 44. The controlgrid A5 is connected to the mid-point 25 of the bridge circuit 2, and a connection is made across the bridge by connecting the point 46 to the ground through the resistor 41. The bias on tube 40 is adjusted so that when the bridge is in balance or is unbalanced in a direction of positive potential,

- the tube 45 will conduct. Tube 40 is prevented from conducting only when the bridge is unbalanced ina direction of negative potential as caused by the state of illumination of the-light,

sensitive devices when the article is of the predetermined size as will be hereinafter described. In the plate circuit of tube 40 is included a loading'resistor 48 placed between points 49 and 50' such that when no current flows through tube- 40, the potential of the point 49 is substantially erative condition for indicating the next inspection. The switch 59 may be controlled by any suitable means and one way is to control it by a cam (not shown) which is correlated with the feeding mechanism used for introducing the specimens into the inspection zone.

It should be noted that the control circuit 4 is'not actuated or is normally manintained open unless some positive action occurs. In inspecting a round i'or diameter, the round is placed in the V block 50. If it is properly positioned, it will connect the two sides ll of the V block 60, placing a negative potential on the control grid 85 of the tube 26 which prevents that tube from conducting, which, in turn, places a positive potential on the control grid 55 of the tube 50. permitting that tube to conduct providing the proper potential is'placed on the control grid 56. If the round is of the proper diameter or is within the predetermined tolerance range tube I8 will be darkened'and tube l9 will remain in light which will cause the bridge 2 to place. a

that of point 50'; but when current flows through 48, the potential of point 49 is driven in a negative direction. A power tube 50, preferably, although not necessarily, of the gas-filled arc discharge type has its operating voltage provided between the dividing resistors 5| and 52.

flowing in its plate circuit when current flows through either of the tubes 26 and 40. The cathode of the tube 50 is connected at point 51 An energy translation means 5 shown as a relay coil is'provided in the plate circuit of the tube 50. A control circuit 4, actuated by the energy translation means 5, has its circuit completed by the relay switch 58, shown in the open position but which is closed when the relay coil 5 is actuated. Control circuit 4 may be an indicating means or may be a circuit used for sorting or it may be a selection circuit used for accepting or rejecting the article according to whether or not the article meets a. predetermined specification. When the tube 50 which is of the arc discharge gas-filled type is connected to a direct current source of power and is ionized, it continues 0 ionize and conduct no matter what is the potential on the control grid. Therefore it is necessary to provide some means of interrupting the ionization or conductance of the, tube 50 between inspections. Although. any suitable means may be used for this purpose. I have provided switch" in the anode circuit of tube 54 which may be opened prior to the next inspection in order to de-ionize tube 50 and place itin opnegative potential on the control grid of tube 40 which will decrease or stop the flow oi current in the plate circuit of tube 40 which, in turn, causes ,a sufllcient positive potential to be placed on grid 56 to cause tube to conduct since, as heretofore described, a positive poten-'- tial has been placed on the control grid and therefore the control circuit will be actuated by the relay coil 5.

It is apparent that when:the piece is. im- I properly positioned in the inspection zone or if it is of an improper size, the control circuit 4 will not be actuated; thus, I accomplish the objects of my invention which are to determine the size photoelectrically and to insure the proper fixing of the reference point by electronically establishing it.

Figures 3 to 7 illustrate different ways electronic gauging may be accomplished and all may be used in connection with any of the wiring diagrams described herein.

Figure 3 shows the round properly positioned in' the inspection zone which will cause current tofiow through lines "5 and H, which are the lines shown in Figure 2 connected to opposite sides of the V block 50. I

Figure-4 shows the positioning of a round in a V block 60 against a stop 6|. The stop 5| is insulated from the V block 50 by means of insulator 62. Thus, current cannot flow through lines l5 and I1 unless the object contacts the stop 5! and the.V block 60. This means is particularly useful for indicating length and for this purpose phototubes i8 and I9 are positioned so that whenthe piece has a length within the requisite tolerance, tube I8 is in shadow and tube I9 is in light. 1

Figure 5 shows another method of fixing the reference point where the object may be flat and it is desired to measure the length. In this case, the support 63 is insulated from the block- 6| by means of insulator 52 and when the object is properly positioned, current flows through lines l6 and I1.

Figure 6 shows a means wherein a rider 58 rides on the object 64 to be inspected. The

'according to different sizes, and is particularly useful either as shown .or by proper adaptation of ring gages for measuring threads for maximum diameter, pitch diameter, etc-. The article 84 is placed under the rider 89 and the rider will beraised upward shadowing one or more of the phototubes 88. By properly connecting phototubes 88 in enact the light sensitive circuits described and illustrated herein they can be used to indicate the size of the article. The reference point is established when the object 64 connects the rider 69 to the support 63, thereby causing current to flow through the line It and I1, said current controlling one of the control grids in my electronic circuit.-

Figure 7 shows a means used for fixing a reference point for a flat object where it is desired to measure a bevel or an angle. The two sections I4 of the support are separated by the insulating material 82. When the piece is properly oriented, it will close the circuit and cause current to flow through lines It and I1. Phototubes 10 are used for checking the bevel and phototubes H are used for checking the right angle.

Figures 3 to 7 are illustrative of various means for establishing the reference point but other means within the scope of my invention may be used.

Referring to Figure 8, phototube I8 is connected between leads l3 and I4 and phototube I9 is connected between leads l4 and I5. The leads I8 and 14 connected with phototube l8 and the leads 14' and 15 connected with photo-- tube l9 together with resistor 18 constitute two arms of a bridge, the point of junction being at II. A third arm of the bridge comprises a voltage regulating tube 18 preferably of the glowdischarge type, connected in lead 18, which joins the arm of the bridge including phototube l8 at :thepoint III at which point both arms are grounded. Resistor 80 shunted by condenser 8| bridges the arm including phototube l8 and the arm including regulating tube 78. The bridge controls the control'grid 35 of the amplifying tube 28, preferably although not necessarily of the vpentode type, having a relay coil connected in its anode circuit said tube receiving operating voltages from voltage dividing resistors 82, 83 and 84, forming the fourth arm voltage regulator tube 18 maintains the point 85 at a substantially constant positive potential above ground irrespective of fluctuations in the voltage supply and the voltage tube 81 maintains the voltage across the bridge circuit including phototubes l8 and 19 substantially constant irrespective of the fluctuations of the voltage supply, the characteristics of tube 81 being such that the voltage across it is twice that across the The resistor 88 of relatively high resistance, determines the potential at the point I! between the phototubes l8 and i9 when substantially no current flows through the tubes l9 and II or the currents flowing through the tubes are tained at the same potential as that of point".

The cathode of. the tube 28 is connected to a movable contactor engaging the resistor 84. current flowing through the lower portion of the resistor 84 maintains a negative bias upon the control grid of the tube 28 through the resistor 88 when the bridge is balanced or when the bridge is unbalanced due to phototube I! being in shadow and phototube l8 being in light. This bias is adjusted to maintain tube 28 cut 08 or at least maintained suiflcientiy non-conducting to reduce the plate current through tube 28 to a value insuflicient to energize the relay coil 5. The screen grid of tube 28 may be connected between the resistors 82 and 88 so as to have maintained thereon a positive potential less than that on the anode of the tube. In operation when a specimen 84 is properly positioned in the test zone and the specimen is perfect or falls within the tolerance range set by the spacing of the tubes l8 and I9 in the optical system, one of the said tubes will be in shadow and the other will be in light; that is the bridge comprising said tubes will be unbalanced in the proper direction of potential for actuating relay coil 8. If the specimen is withinthe tolerance range, the phototube IE! will become conducting and the tube 18 remains non-conducting. resistance of the resistor 88 is sufficiently high, this causes the potential of the control grid of the tube 28 to be carried in a positive direction in respect to the cathode thereof so that the anode current of the tube 28 becomes sufliciently great to energize the relay coil 5 and operate the switch as hereinafter described to accept the specimen. If, however, the specimen is sumciently oversized to cause both tubes l8 and II to be in shadow or sufliciently undersized to cause bothtubes to be inlight or if in the operation, tube l8 should be in'light and .tube l8 in shadow, the bridge is balanced or unbalanced such that the plate current through the tube 28 remains insufficient to energize the-relay coil 8.

The control tube 88 containing control grid is employed to disable the amplifying tube 28 except when the specimen is properly oriented or properly placed in the V block 80. That is, it is used; to fix the reference point inthe photoelectric inspection. The V block 68 is shown as being made up of oppositely disposed conducting members it spaced by an insulating member II. The tube 88 has its cathode circuit in series with the anode circuit of tube 26 with the relay coil 5 connected in this seriescircuit. When the tube 88 is in non-conducting condition due to the improper positioning of the article in the inspection zone, which means that the reference point is improper, tube 26 cannot cause relay coil 5 to actuate the swtch 90. The tube 88 is normally rendered non-conducting or substantially nonconducting by maintaining the control grid 88 at a lower potential than the cathodes This is accomplished by the electronic control circuit l including the conducting members I4 of the test block 60 and resistors 9| and 92 connected in series across the source of direct current supply. The control grid 89 of the tube 88 is connected between the resistors 9| and 92 at the point-88,

and when no conducting test specimen-is posi- 'tioned in the test block 68, the controlgrid 88 of the tube 88 is at ground potential. Sincethe cathode of the tube 88 is always at a substantially positive potential, the potential of the con- The- If the 9 l trol grid is negative with respect thereto. When a conducting test specimen is positioned in the test block 88, .the circuit is established through the resistors 9| and 92 and the control grid 89 alternating current in connection with gas-filled tubes of the type shown at 88, circuit breaking switches or other devices as shown at 89 in Figure 2 need not be used since the control grids 89 and 88 will control the current flowing through the gas-filled tube after it once starts to ionize. when the alternating current becomes negative on the anode side at the same instant the control grid. 89 becomes negative the control grid will take ver and thereafter will control the ionizatio of'the tube.

The physical means used for selecting an article according to a predetermined size is shown in Figures 8 and 9. Solenoid controlled air valves 99 and I88 connected to a suitable source of power such as the alternating current source 91 may be used. In Figure 8, it should be noted that the. relay switch 98 completes the circuit for actuating reject valve 99 when relay coil I5 is not energized and valve I08 is not actuated until some positive action is caused'by the electronic circuit for pulling relay switch 98 over to a position where the, accept circuit is closed. It is preferable to use air under relatively high pressure as a means for accepting and-rejecting the artlcle and this is shown in Figure 9. Referring to Figure 8, the purpose of the cam 94 which is synchronized with the feeding mechanism is to close the reject circuit just prior to the inspection in order that the blast of air will not be going through the valve 99 at all times. I

Referring to Figure 9, I III indicates a source of light which may be an incandescent electric light bulb providing a concentrated source of light although any other suitable source of conl centrated light may I02 are positioned adjacent bulb III to direct a concentrated light beam upon the specimen 84 to be tested, said bulb preferably, but not necesof tube "assumes a positive potential above sarily, being located on the optical axis of the ground equal to the voltage drop through the lenses I02. A projecting lens I84 is preferably resistor 92. By properly balancing the resistpositioned to have its optical axis in alignment ances of the resistors 9| and 92, closing of the cirwith the optical axis of the condensing lenses I82 cult between conducting members I4 can be and is positioned upon the opposite side of the made to carry the potential of the control grid lc specimen 84 from the condensing lenses to reof the tube 88 in a positive direction with respect ceive light passing specimen 84. to the cathode of the tube 88. The tube 88 then 7 My invention is particularly adapted to be embec con t a d up n the next clo ployed in selecting or rejecting articles of manuof the alternating current circuit by means of facture on the basis of size or dimension and in the cam 94, as will be hereinafter described, tube order to accomplish this, the articles of manu- 28 will function to accept the article positioned facture or specimens are positioned in the light n the te l ck 60 if t p imen is Within beam between the condensing lenses I82 and the the tolerance range as hereinbefore described. rojecting lens I84 so asto intercept a portion The anode voltage of the tube 88, as well as of the light of said light beam. A V block or the anode voltage for the tube 28 is supplied support is employed to support the specimen 84. from an alternating current line since the tubes For convenience, the specimen is illustrated as are in a series circuit with thesecondary 95 of being a cylindrical element, the diameter of a transformer having its primary 98 connected which is a critical dimension and forms the basis across the alternating current line 91. The reof'the selection or rejection.

lay coil 5 also in this series circuit may be em- 5 The V-block or support is preferably, but not ployed as a filter inductance being by-passed/by necessarily, positioned with respect to the opfilter condenser 98 having one terminal connected tical axis of the complete lens system so that a to the cathode of the tube 88 and the other termiperfect edge has its. upper range slightly above nal connected to the cathode ofthe tube 28. By said optical axis. It can readily be seen that a the connection shown, alternating current vclt- 30 specimen larger or smaller in diameter than a ages can be isolated from the bridge circuit and perfect specimen intercepts a greater or lesser the relay coil 8 is supplied with at least partly amount of light passing through the condensing filtered direct-current and the control tube 88 lenses I82. also functions as a power .supply for the other Spaced from the projection lens I94 and dis control tube 28. One of the advantages of this posed with its optical axis substantiallvcoincicircuit is that the power tube places substantially dent with the optical axis of the lenses, as heretono load upon the current orpower supply ofthe fore described, is a convex mirror I85 shown as direct current source of potential used'for conbeing cylindrical. Other types of magnifying trolling the grid voltages. Another advantage of mirrors such as spheres, spherical segments, cythe circuit shown in Figure 8 is thatby using an 40 lindrical segments, and the like, may be employed as the magnifying mirror. The light sensitive devices used in making the photoelectric inspectionrcomprise a pair of phototubes I8 and I9 which are positioned adjacent the projection lens I84, one on each sideof the optical axis of the lens system.

The preferred arrangement is such that the specimen 84 to be tested, and the mirror Ifl, are positioned at the conjugate feel at the projecting lens so that a sharp shadow of the upper tubes I8 and I9 may both be in shadow, both may be in light, or one may be in shadow andthe other in light so that a very small displacement of the shadow on the mirror can cause a change from one of these conditions to the other. It can readily be seen that the spacing of the tubes I8 and I9 from the optical axis of the lens system determines the extreme ranges of the diameter of the specimen, that is, these distances are emplayed to limit the tolerance of a substantially perfect specimen with reference to a perfect specimen. It can also be seen that as the diameter of the specimen exceeds the upper limit of tolerance, both tubes I8 and I9 will be in shadow. Likewise, if the diameter of the specimen is below the lower limit of tolerance, both 7 tubes will be in light. However, when one tube is in shadow and the other tube is in light when properly employing my bridge circuit, an acceptable specimen in indicated. v

It is clear that substantially any degree of 78 magnification may be obtained merely by may.

be used. Condensing lensesofl may be obtained at the extremities of rthe 10 range. It will be apparent that the over and under tolerances may be independently adjusted by independently moving the tubes with respect to the optical axis of the lens system.

Figure 10 illustrates the use of my device for indicating size or selecting or sorting articles of I manufacture for size. For example, it may be used in sorting bearings for different sizes. While I have illustrated in Figure 10 means 'for sorting two diiferent sizes, any number of sizes may be 20 sorted by using additional units of light sensitive devices and amplifying tubes. If a large number of sizes are desired to be sorted.'the optical system shown in Figure 9 may be modified, for example,,'the same tube or any number 25 of phototubes may be masked so that only a predetermined' portion of an image of the object strikes a particular section of the phototube or a particular phototube.

Further referring to Figure 10, the fixing of the 30 reference point is effected in a manner heretofore described, and the means therefor is shown in Figure 10 as a circuit including the V block 8 which has elements I4 insulated by material I3 and the entire V block connected to a direct current source of potentialhaving its negative terminal at I06 and its positive terminal at I01. A resistor I09 is provided adjacent the negative terminal I to provide a positive potential at the point I09'when the specimen properly positioned in the V block, completes the circuit'from IIII to l 06. A light sensitivecontrol means 2 for controlling the control grid as previously described, is shown as including phototube I8 connected in a circuit comprising positive terminal IIO, negative terminal III and resistor II2. A similar circuit .2 is provided with phototube I9, connected to the negative terminal II4, with resistor II5 adjacent to the .positive terminal I I3.

An amplifying tube -I I6 comprises two control 50 grids, H3 and 1. Control grid III is controlled by the photoelectric circuit 2, and control grid H8 is controlled by electronic circuit I. The operating voltage for tube 6 is obtained from a source of D. C. potential having its negative terminal at IIS, its positive terminal at I and grounded at I through dividing resistors I22 and I23. Similarly, tube I24 contains control grid I25 controlled by circuit I and control grid I26 controlled by circuit 2'. The bias on tube I26 is maintained normally negative so as to prevent. conduction by the tube by connecting the cathode at point I21, between resistors I28 and I29, connected to a source of D. 0. potential having its positive terminal at I30 and its negative terminal at I3I. A separate power source 29 may be used for the amplifying tubes H6 and I24 after conductance is initiated.

In operation of an apparatus in accordance with Figure 10 when no light is on the phototubes I8 and I9, sufficient positive bias is placed on 'tubes I I6 and I26 as to cause them to conduct a current, providing the electronic circuit I has placed a positive potential on the control grids. However, when light strikes, e. g., phototube I8.

v 12 a negative .bias is placed on the control grid III which prevents tube '6 from conducting. In

' a similar manner, the conductance of tube I24 is controlled. Let us assume that tube I3 is used I for indicating the minimum size article desired to be tested-and tube I9 the next size article. When the article of the minimum size is properly placed in the inspection zone, it will cause current to. flow through the V block which will place apositive potential on control grid I I8 and at the same time, since it is of the minimum size to be tested, a positive potential will be placed on control grid I II, which will cause tube I I6 to conduct and the indicator will be actuated. Likewise, if the next specimen corresponds to the next size, it will darken phototube I9 and the indicator 4 will indicate that the next sized article is in the testing zone. Thus, I have described a method using my principle of fixing the reference point for sorting articles according to size. The indicator 4 may be a common indicator for all sizes or separate indicators may be employed or physical means for sorting such as solenoid controlled gas valves, may be employed.

Referring to Figure li, a. method of controlling the flow of current through an electronic circuit, embodying the principle of fixing the referencepoint, is illustrated wherein the control grid controlled by the electronic controlmeans and the control grid controlled by the light sensitivecontrol means are placed in the same power or amplifying tube. But in general, the principle of operation is similar to that heretofore described.

In this case let us assume that the phototube illustrated should be in light when a good piece is to be indicated. The bias on the amplifying tube I32 is normally maintained negative, since its ,cathode is connected to point I33 which is more positive than the points I34" and I35, When the, piece is properly positioned in the Vblock 8 and.

the phototube I34 is in light, apositive bias will be placed simultaneously on the two control grids f I36 and I31 which will cause current to flow through the amplifying tube I32, actuating. the relay coil I34 which is used to control the control circuit 4. It should be noted that in my means of fixing a reference point the control grid controlled by the electronic control means, as well as other control grids, at least one of which is controlled bya light sensitive control means, may be placed in the same amplifying or power tube or the control grids may be placed in separate power or amplifyingtubes in the same electronic circuit; but in all cases, the control circuit, the energy translation means, the selecting means, or the sorting means is only actuated by the positive action of simultaneously driving the control grids in the electronic circuit in the same direction of potential, and the energy translation means, the control means, etc., can be prevented from being actuated by independently changing the potential of either one of the control grids in the opposite direction. That is to say, it takes simultaneous action by the electronic control means and the photoelectric control means to obtainthe positive action, but either control means may independently prevent the positive sensitive control means 2.. The potentials on the control grids must all be carried in the same direction in order to actuate the interpreting means.

The above description of the various modifications within the broad principles of my invention is given for illustrative purposes only and they are not to be considered necessarily equivalent, nor arethey to be considered as limiting my invention since my invention is only limited by the following claims:

I claim as my invention:

1. An apparatus for dimensional inspection of electrically conducting articles comprising a circuit including electronic amplifying means having two independently controlled grids cooperatively arranged so as to jointly control the flow of current in said circuit, an indicating means,

means in said circuit responsive to change in flow of current in said circuit for'controlling said indicating means, a photoelectric device electrically connected to one of said grids for controlling the bias thereon in accordance with-the condition of illumination of said device, means for supporting an article to be inspected in an inspection zone, means for projecting a beam of light through said zone, said photoelectric device being positioned relative to said supporting means so that standard articles and non-standard articles produce different conditions of illumination of said device when the articles are correctly positioned on said supporting means with reference to the dimension to be inspected, means for controlling the other of said grids comprising a normally open circuit including a source of potentialand said other grid, and means for completing said circuit comprising spaced contacts connected to the ends of said circuit and positioned so as to be engaged by spaced portions of an electrically conducting article when the article is correctly positioned on said supporting means with reference to the dimension to be inspected.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the said electronic amplifying means comprises a single electronic tube containing said two grids.

3. An apparatus for dimensional inspection of electrically conducting articles comprising a circuit including electronic amplifying means hav- 5o ing two independently controlled grids cooperatively arranged so as to jointly control the flow of current in said circuit, an indicating means, means in said circuit responsive to change in flow of current in said circuit for controlling said indicating means, a photoelectric device elec-- trically connected to one of said grids for controlling the bias thereon in accordance with the condition of illumination of said device, means for supporting an article to be inspected, means for producing different predetermined conditions of illumination of said photoelectric device in response to the placing of standard articles and non-standard articles respectively on said support, said photoelectric device being positioned relative to said supporting means so that standard articles and non-standard articles produce different conditions of illumination of said de vice' when the articles are correctly positioned on said supporting means with reference to the dimension to be inspected, means for controlling the other of said grids comprising a normally open circuit including a source of potential and said other grid, and means for completing said circuit comprising spaced contacts connected to the ends of said circuit and positioned so as to be engaged by spaced portions of an electrically conducting article when the article is correctly positioned on said supporting means with reference to the dimension to be inspected.

SAMUEL C. HURLEY, JR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

STATES PATENTS 

